“Tour de Garages” - Post 8: The Buell
Erik – Sensational
guess, just one number and one letter away.
You may have clued in by now, I never reply right away to the person who has guessed the bike in question … and now that I’ve
given away my secret, I hope to have the next post ready, so I can applaud
the winner and get the next bike up as soon as possible (So many bikes, so little time and man, I have a hard time keeping a secret!) This is my
personal challenge, please don’t hold it against me if I can’t write as fast as
you can guess. I have been so impressed that if you (all) were closer, I'd do everybody's laundry for a week!
As for this bike, Erik was sooooo close. Ken’s most fun to
ride bike is the Harley made Buell 2000 X1 Lightening. You can tell by the scars on the metal this Buell has been ridden.
When I asked Ken what made this the 'most fun to ride' he said, like many riders I’ve talked to
before, “It just fits right!” When it fits right it steers, stops and handles
fluidly with the rider. Ken describes riding the Buell as instinctive or more
precisely, “It’s a visceral experience" for him.
This Buell, well, it’s way too tall and way too fast for me
but what I did find fascinating was the story of Erik Buell and his relationship
with Harley (you can check it out on Wikipedia) … and I was thrilled to find him still alive and well and still
designing and crafting fine motorcycles under the ‘label’ EBR - check out this January 2013 interview with Erik Buell (ErikBuellRacing.)
Here's the Buell parked in what I call the "Red Zone," though Ken insists she's orange (tomato ... tomato). Orange, it's just another shade of red!
And what's next - This is the bike he's owned the longest (proof that he's not a collector ... it's just that he never gets rid of anything!)...So I'd better start writing the next post!
Nice job Erik....I continue to be left in the dust for this competition. I knew the motor and that hinted the obvious brand, but didn't know the model.
ReplyDeleteGood luck competitors!
Well done Coop - to even recognize the motor. I've been looking at Bobskoots photo for an hour trying to match it to every make and model with Ohlins shocks and no luck (time to call in the experts and the old guys). It's tough without the answer sheet, but fun I hope. Whoops, just realized I forgot to drop a hint ... it's another Brit!
DeleteI had a little help from Google Images. I knew the H-D engine, and saw the blue frame, so I figured Beull
ReplyDeleteErik - Google's only a help to those people who already know what they're looking for - well guessed my friend! Buell is a very interesting story.
ReplyDeleteI've been watching the AMA Super Bike racing watching Erik Buell's team trying out their bike in that venue...
ReplyDeleteI've also been backtracking to your earlier posts and am enjoying your trip to PEI and Quebec in 2010. What in an inspiration you are...
Thank you Suzu ... I started this blog to let girls know they could ride motorcycles too! But I've met so many great people along the way it's taught me more!
DeleteErik Buell sounded like such a down to earth kind of fellow I hope EBR is successful, I'm sure it's not an easy path so the team deserves success.
Buell sure made some nice bikes.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for that last pic all I can say is "what the heck is that?"
Trobairitz Erik Buell is still making fine motorcycles - the logo is just ever, so slighly, different. I think I heard he has new backing ... so maybe they will hit the streets once again.
DeleteAnd as far as the last pic - That's exactly what I said, what the heck is that? You Win this one!
Karen:
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who has a Buell Lightning. We used to go riding, of course all my prev photos are gone from my blog but I did post about it.
He got rear ended a couple of years ago so he parked his bike and stopped riding.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Bob, I think I would be parking the bike for good if I was rear ended as well.
Delete